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The Ultimate Checklist for Staging Your House (So It Sells in Record Time)

Removing personal items should be a top priority when staging your home. You want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in the space.

Staging your house can make you money, just take this real world tale of two condo listings.

:

Both units were in the same complex. One hadn’t been staged or updated since it was built; the other was staged and had been slightly refreshed (a little paint here and there and one redone bath). Otherwise, both units were the same size and layout. The staged condo sold for about $30,000 more than the unstaged unit,

Before your eyes turn into dollar signs, keep in mind staging isn’t guaranteed to get you more money. But it’s an important marketing tool to help you compete at the right price, which means you can sell faster.

Helping buyers fall in love with your property takes more than running the vacuum and fluffing the pillows: It’s all about decluttering, repairing, updating, and depersonalizing.

Take a daring sniff of the drains. Odorous? Clean them out, and deodorize with baking soda, boiling water, or vinegar.

Time for a new sink anyway? Try a pedestal sink to optimize precious bathroom space.

Walls, Windows & More

Have a dark corner or hallway? Brighten it up with a decorative mirror.

Neutralize the walls. If any rooms are painted in dark colors, repaint white or beige.

Paint adjacent rooms the same color to make the whole space feel larger.

Fill nicks and holes in walls, and touch up with paint.

Sorry, wood paneling. It’s time. Paint over paneling with a neutral color. To really cover your tracks, use wood filler between panels and paint over the entire thing.

Make sure every switch plate and outlet cover matches and looks brand new.

Wash the windows, inside and out. Repair any holes or tears in screens.

Replace those family portraits with interesting art placed strategically throughout the house. Avoid leaving dead space on walls.

Throughout the House

Declutter! Consider it pre-packing for your move. Box up books, clothes, and personal items and place them (neatly!) in the garage or — better yet — a rented storage unit.

Don’t forget to include memorabilia in those decluttering bins. Family photos, diplomas, and the kids’ artwork should all go.

Keep closets, basements, and attics as empty as possible to maximize the appearance of storage space.

Transform underused areas of the house — the alcove under the stairs or the end of a hallway — into functional spots. Add a desk to create a mini office, or a chair and small bookshelf for a reading nook.

Swap dim lights for high-wattage bulbs.

Check every door, drawer, and cabinet to ensure they open and close easily. Swap out any faulty — or dingy — hardware.

Damaged or aging hardwood floors? Replace damaged boards with new wood, sand down the entire floor, and re-stain.

Do a deep (deep, deep) clean. Hire a professional cleaning service to clean your home from top to bottom — including carpets — before viewings.

Add a fresh coat of paint to the front door, preferably red, black, blue, or wood stain, so long as it complements the trim and doesn’t blend, says The Real Estate Staging Association. Steer clear of unconventional colors like purple.

Buy a new doormat to welcome home buyers.

Power-wash the house exterior, walkway, steps, driveway, and porch until everything sparkles.

Make sure the locks and doorbell function.

Make that mailbox look clean and welcoming, or get a new one.

Plant lots of colorful blooms in attractive pots and planter beds.

Trim back trees and shrubs from the approach to the front door.

Whip that yard into shape with fresh sod or new seed.

Store yard equipment and children’s toys out of sight.

Repair shaky banisters.

Get a hammock (or bocce ball game or raised fire pit) to show off how fun your yard can be.

Dress up any imperfect planting area with mulch.

Make sure entryway lights function and are free of cobwebs and insects.

Hide trash cans, recycle bins, and garden hoses.

Don’t forget your outdoor living space. Stage your patio like a second living room, with fashionable furniture, accent pillows, an outdoor rug, and other patio-friendly decor.

For Pet Owners

Scrub those pet stains on the carpets and rugs until totally gone or replace them if necessary. Try cleaning formulas made especially for pet odors.

Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership currently has franchise opportunities available in select markets across Canada. The intent of this communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a solicitation to anyone under contract with another real estate brokerage organization. CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC, used under license. ® Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

Certain listing content on this website has been provided by The Canadian Real Estate Association. The compilation of such Listing Content is owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association and/or its member Boards and Associations and licensed to Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.